The Smartest Performance Car You Can Buy Today

Ah, speed. We are obsessed with it. We run after it. And what better way to do it than with a performance-oriented car equipped with some of the best go-fast features. Well, then that’s the point, isn’t it? Find that mind-blowing performance car and give it a try? Not enough. Some concessions also come with the performance. For starters, there’s practicality.

Sure, a small, two-door sports car can provide an exciting drive. But if you want space and comfort, forget about it. A small trunk, tight interior space and limited cabin storage means a taut sports coupe like the Toyota GR86 or a sun-soaked drop-top like the G29 BMW Z4 aren’t the best candidates for a grocery-shopping daily driver. However, there is hope: a four-door, all-wheel drive rocket ship with hatchback practicality and enough luxury interior to make some serious gains.

Performance doesn’t mean impractical

Decades ago, the thrilling driving experience was almost reserved for small, lightweight sports cars. That kind of philosophy of speed inspired Lotus founder and car-building legend Colin Chapman to coin the phrase “Simplify, then add lightness.” Those days are long gone. Of course, you can still get mild premium sports cars like this. But there are other options too. Today, you can get a luxury sports sedan with a comfortable interior, explosive thrust, and usable cargo space.

location and speed

Raw, naked movement is not enough. I mean, what’s the use of a muscular twin-turbocharged V8 without enough space to go out of town for the weekend or run errands? Ideally, your ballistically fast luxury sports sedan will have a usable trunk and enough room for the entire family. Bonus points if that world-class performance luxury car boasts hatchback practicality and engaging all-wheel drive. Doubt it exists? A German performance sedan promises to do it all, but it comes at a price.

2026 Audi RS 7: Great performance, daily utility

Starting at $132,700

Audi likes to code its cars and SUVs with letters. Take the A-line model, for example. In 2026, the Audi A5 takes a more comfortable approach to the compact luxury sedan segment. Swap the “S” in that equation, and you get the S5, a sports sedan based on the comparatively quieter A5. Then you have the RS models, which are some of the best performance weapons from the German automaker. And none of the brand’s RS offerings are as well-rounded (yet sensible) as this one. 2026 audi rs 7.

Being the largest of the RS cars, the RS 7 has room for five people plus whatever you want to store under its fast-back rear hatch. And, at the other end of the car, the Audi RS 7 packs a volcanic twin-turbocharged V8 mated to a shiftable eight-speed automatic transmission. Add quattro all-wheel drive, and the big, expensive Audi luxury sedan will handle almost anything. Oh, and did we mention expensive? For 2026, the Audi RS End is available exclusively in Performance trim and its price starts at $132,700. Still, considering how fast and useful the biggest RS sedan is, it might be worth every penny. Although its A-and-badged siblings have already been discontinued, the RS 7 may not be around for much longer.

rumbling under the hood

The 2026 Audi RS 7 is based entirely on big numbers. under the hood, The RS 7 packs a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. A 48-volt mild hybrid system assists that muscular mill. outcome? 621 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is the only transmission option. All-wheel drive is also the only drivetrain option. There’s no rear-wheel drive option like you’ll find in a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing or BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. But all this power and grip means the Audi RS 7 is fast. Very early. In testing, the RS 7 managed to hit 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds en route to an 11.1-second quarter mile. In fact, the Audi RS 7 trailed the comparable BMW M5 by 0.1 second. Not too shabby for a luxury sedan at £4,916.

2026 audi rs 7 specs

hatchback practicality

Instead of going with a conventional roofline and trunk, the 2026 Audi RS 7 is expected to feature a hatchback with a fastback rear end. Raise that hatch, and the RS 7 welcomes you with 24.6 cubic feet of cargo volume. need more space? Fold down the 40/20/40 folding rear seats, and the cargo area opens up to a wagon-esque 49 cubic feet. Not to mention how the wide hatchback makes loading and unloading a straightforward process. So, how does it compare? Audi’s little brother, the A6, stops at about 14 cubic feet. The BMW M5, on the other hand, has a cargo capacity of around 16.5 cubic feet. As far as interior space is concerned, the RS 7 has seating for five, although four would be more comfortable. Heated and ventilated seats are standard equipment.

So, should you buy one?

Considering that Audi has just launched its second generation car for the 2021 model year, the RS 7 is getting a little long in the tooth. However, never mind. Even in its pristine state, the Audi RS 7 is ballistically sharp and stylish inside and out. Combine that kind of range-topping speed with enough room for a family and a large grocery store, and the RS 7 is a distinctly sensible presence in this segment. Plus, with the A7 and S7 already discontinued, there’s a good chance the 2026 Audi RS 7 is one of your last chances to get the second-generation model.

That said, the Audi RS 7’s $132,700 starting price isn’t exactly accessible. So, if a more affordable cost of entry is important to you, it is better to look elsewhere. The appropriately unrestored, insanely powerful Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing comes to mind, which commands about $30,000 less than the Audi while still remaining in the luxury performance sedan segment. But the CT5-V offers less than half the cargo capacity of the Blackwing RS 7.

Sources: Audi, Car and Driver, Edmunds